CVE-2022-1222 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2022
Inf loop in GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to 2.1.0-DEV.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1222 represents a critical infinite loop condition discovered within the GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to version 2.1.0-DEV. This issue manifests as a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt the normal operation of systems utilizing this software library. The gpac/gpac repository serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework implementing various codecs and protocols for digital media processing, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that depend on its functionality. The infinite loop occurs during specific processing scenarios involving multimedia data handling, where the software enters a continuous execution cycle that prevents further processing and system responsiveness.
The technical flaw within the gpac/gpac codebase stems from inadequate input validation and control flow management during multimedia stream processing. When the software encounters specific malformed or specially crafted input data, it fails to properly terminate processing loops that should handle various edge cases in media decoding. This condition is categorized as a CWE-835 - Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition, which directly relates to the infinite loop behavior observed in the affected versions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software does not adequately check for termination conditions or handle exceptional processing states, leading to resource exhaustion and system instability. The flaw is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate input processing pathways, making it difficult to detect and prevent through simple input filtering approaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1222 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise entire multimedia processing systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing specially crafted media files or stream data that triggers the infinite loop, causing system resources to become consumed and preventing legitimate processing from occurring. This affects systems that rely on gpac/gpac for video streaming, media conversion, or playback applications, particularly those in enterprise environments where continuous processing is expected. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries target system resources to prevent legitimate use of computing resources. Organizations using affected versions may experience cascading failures in multimedia applications, leading to service interruptions, performance degradation, and potential data loss in processing pipelines that depend on this library.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1222 primarily focus on immediate software updates to version 2.1.0-DEV or later, which contain the necessary code fixes to prevent the infinite loop condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected installations and verify that all applications utilizing gpac/gpac have been updated to secure versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls and monitoring for unusual processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers who might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. The fix typically involves adding proper termination conditions to processing loops and implementing robust error handling for edge cases in media stream processing, ensuring that all control flow paths properly account for exceptional conditions and prevent resource exhaustion scenarios.